The Amazon is a vital carbon “sink,” meaning that it takes in massive quantities of carbon dioxide and emits relatively little by comparison. This is especially concerning because Amazon fires not only destroy the rainforest home to Indigenous peoples and countless wildlife and plant species – they actually accelerate climate change. That’s because as the climate becomes hotter and droughts become more frequent and more severe, wildfires are expected to become larger and more damaging as well. And while these fires were startling in their scope, research indicates that they may have been just a preview as Amazon wildfires could become more common – and even more devastating. In the summer of 2019, wildfires raged across the Amazon rainforest, capturing international attention and sparking outrage. Let’s take a look at what South America faces, and how we can all play a role in solving this crisis. From more frequent flooding events to megadroughts and vanishing water supplies, the consequences of rising temperatures could have devastating outcomes for South America – and the people who call the region home.īut the good news is that we have the tools to fight back. Not to mention a population that reached over 430 million people in 2020, according to the UN.īut here’s one we can safely make: Climate change will transform the continent and life on it for many. It’s hard to make too many sweeping statements when you’re talking about a continent as massive as South America, home to the soaring peaks of the Andes, the lush rainforests of the Amazon basin, and the stunning formations of the Atacama Desert.
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